Mission and objectivesThe World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger, providing food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. While the international community has committed to ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and nutrition assistance is central to breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty. For its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to improving conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas, and for playing a leading role in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
ContextThe World Food Programme is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. Mission and objectives in the Unified Volunteering Platform (UVP) are taken directly from the host entity profile. The WFP Cooperating Partners (CP) Management officer will lead the transparent, fair, and efficient engagement and selection of international, national and local NGO partners through a standardized digital process that incorporates thorough due diligence, rigorous proposal review, and comprehensive capacity assessments. This enables WFP to select partners based on their merits, capabilities, and strategic alignment, thereby managing risks and optimizing partnership impact.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the UNV will undertake the following tasks: โข In line with the NGO Corporate Guidance and in coordination with UNHCR, UNICEF and UNFPA focal points, administer a coordinated use of the UN Partner Portal (UNPP) and provide the necessary guidance to the Cooperating Partners and feedback to the Regional Office or HQ on UNPP use. โข Provide strategic guidance to the Head of Programme and Activity Managers regarding engagements with actors supporting the programmes to deliver the assistance, including liaison with HQ Partnership and Legal units, as necessary, on appropriate contractual relationships with such actors. โข In liaison with HQ/Regional Bureau counterparts, ensure that latest corporate standard and templates on Cooperating Partners (CP) engagements are used and inform about any new/revised procedures and practices on partnership engagements at Regional and HQ level. โข Coordinate the execution of the partnership and CP contracting processes for all Country Strategic Plan (CSP) activities. โข Develop different tools, guidelines, and SOPs that can resolve audit issues and implementation of IRM and NGO guidance recommendations. โข Analyse potential risks in CP engagements and recommend risk mitigation measures for Managementโs consideration. โข Prepare Expression of Interest, Request for Proposals and FLA awards requests, draft agreements and subsequent amendments, ensuring that all agreements and amendments are constructed and issued in line with WFP legal and financial rules and regulations. โข Verify that reporting requirements are adhered to and liaise closely with the Program, Resource Management, Finance and M&E teams and the supervisor on any delays or other difficulties. Develop tools to support the same. โข Manage the process of operational and financial amendment and closure of FLAs, MOUs and the project. โข In collaboration with the Head/Deputy of Programme, Activity managers, prepare semi-annual and annual performance and implementation plans (aligned to the WFP Country Strategic Plan and Country Portfolio Budget).โข Coordinate and support due diligence and capacity assessment; ensure the classification and communication of the results of the capacity assessment; โข Coordinate and support performance review exercises ensuring that correct guidance is used to adjust key performance indicators, and that all records are maintained; โข Coordinate and support spot-check activities for the operational partnerships unit in close collaboration with the BPU; โข Ensure the use of all digital systems (Partner Connect, COMET, School Connect, LESSโฆ.) for Cooperating Partners Management (CPM); โข Ensure agreement filing system captures all updates - Oversee record and database maintenance to ensure information is organized and readily available and complies with all relevant regulations and policies ; โข Maintain a master database of all Cooperating Partners (CPs) to ensure that Implementing Partner records, including their assessments and profiles, are updated and maintained; โข Verify that all requests for proposals include clear key performance indicators that will be used for mid-term and final performance evaluation; โข Produce analyzes on assessment data to identify trends and gaps requiring WFP intervention in capacity building. โข Conduct training needs assessments for CPs; โข Based on performance and capacity assessments, propose tailored capacity building plans to address gaps; โข Design, in collaboration with WFP program units and support units, a standard cross-functional induction plan to be provided to all CPs at the start of implementation; โข Support the facilitation and coordination of the initiation of CPs; โข Create a training repository and record all training provided to CPs; โข Evaluate and recommend improvements to procedures and practices; โข Respond to requests for support from the unit in order to provide a rapid and precise response to requests from CPs and colleagues; โข Conduct field visits to Field Offices to provide guidance and support partnership management, as needed; โข Perform any other tasks, as needed.
Competencies and valuesโข Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and result oriented. โข Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary. โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards the UN core values.
Living conditions and remarksโข The country is landlocked and surrounded by countries with security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest, and grievance in Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of public ser-vices. Power cuts are causing insecurity in town. The security situation across the country is still a concern as crimes (theft, abduction, armed robbery, carjacking, murder, illegal detention of weapons and illegal checkpoints/taxation, torture and sexual violence) continue throughout the country because of endemic poverty, easy access to weapons and the weak capacity or absence of judicial authorities in many areas. How-ever, the deployment of the FACA (Forces Armed nationals) in Bangui and in some of the country's cities led to an improvement of the overall security situation. A curfew is established by the UN system from 10pm-5am. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport for supplies. There are 4 airlines that operate to/from Bangui. As an example, travel time from Douala to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week due to bad roads and roadblocks. โข There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. A UN clinic provides basic medical care for UN personnel. The entire country is a High-Risk non-family duty station-D with 6 weeks R&R cycle. โข In Bangui, expatriate staff from UN agencies live in private residences, which remain a challenge in terms of cost and quality. โข The CAR operation is full of humanitarian challenges. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and afford-able. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential